Christmas 2008

We had a fabulous Christmas break! It was a very busy, fun, much needed break for us. It was so great to be with family. It seems like it's been forever since we have visited them. On Christmas Eve, we went to see Madagasgar and then headed to my Aunt Mindi's for our annual Christmas Eve party. Niah had a good time playing with my cousins that are her age. We then headed up to my dad's new cabin. It is the sweetest place ever!! I didn't want to leave. Christmas morning was so much fun with Niah and Chloe. They loved every minute of it. Niah got her princess drums that she asked for and Chloe got a Little Einsteins Pat Pat Rocket that she loves. Niah told her friend Addi when she saw her at Church in Aurora that "Santa is a smart guy. He brought me everything I wanted and more!" Bryan and I got a Digital SLR camera from my parents and Bryan gave me running shoes. Bryan's mom and dad gave us money- much needed!! We all got spoiled! Christmas day we had a little get together with my Grandpa and Aunt Dee and some of her friends from Australia. It was a little rushed because they didn't want to get snowed in at the cabin, but it was fun to see them all. Our time at the cabin will be remembered forever. It was so cozy and relaxing up there. Niah loved sledding and riding the 4-wheeler. We couldn't get her to come in. The day after Christmas we drove to Aurora to visit Bryan's family. Niah and her cousins were inseperable. They had so much fun playing with each other. Bryan's family got a Wii for Christmas so we had fun playing that and just hanging out together. We loved meeting our new niece Addison who was born on Dec. 1st. She is so sweet. Bryan and I were able to go to the Manti temple on the day that his Grandma RueLeen works there so it was a great opportunity for us. We haven't been to the temple for a while. Then we headed to our old stompin' grounds in Ephraim, UT to say hello to our friend Connor who we haven't seen in 4 1/2 years. It was great to visit with him for a few minutes. Visiting Ephraim brought back a lot of memories of when Bryan and I were dating. I love that place. New Year's Eve was fun too. Bryan's mom made Chinese food and it was so yummy! We played the Wii and then watched the ball drop. When Niah saw Dick Clark on the TV she said, "Is he real or is he fake?" We had just been talking about how he probably had some work done because he didn't even have a wrinkle on his forehead, so this was hilarious that even Niah noticed something was up! On the Tuesday night that we were there, Bryan's mom got a phone call that Bryan's cousin Melea's little girl, Shelbi, had died suddenly of what seemed to be the flu. She was only six years old and the cutest little girl. I don't know all the details, but they later found out that she had a hernia that had caused part of her colon to die and that caused infection which caused her death. We went to the viewing on Friday night and I had a hard time keeping my emotions in. I have known Melea and her family, the Sheppards, since I was a little girl and my heart aches for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. (If you want to read more then click on the link 'Jaden and Stacy Shaw' in our family and friends list. She does a good job of telling the story.) Even though we had an unexpected tragedy in the family, our trip was a success and I am so glad we made it there to share the holidays with them. I am excited to ring in the New Year and experience the new adventures we will have this year!